Home Minister Ahmad Zahid May Have Committed Sedition

‘Zahid may have committed sedition’

Bar Council roundly condemns Home Minister’s behind ‘closed doors’ comments as a total disregard for the law and human rights.

PETALING JAYA: Home Minister Ahmad Zahid appears to have overstepped the line and may possibly have committed an offence under the Sedition Act 1948, said the Malaysian Bar Council.

Its president, Christopher Leong, said Zahid’s statements in a speech in Malacca over the weekend were shameful and has brought the Government and the country into disrepute.

Among others, Zahid reportedly stated that it was okay for the police to proceed with a ‘shoot first’ policy against suspected criminals if they had the evidence.

He added that the majority of gangsters were from the Indian community and the victims were Malays, and therefore there was nothing wrong in arresting or shooting them.

“His statements could be interpreted to support extra-judicial killings by the Police,” said Leong.

Zahid also revealed that he was the ‘mastermind’ behind the detention without trial provisions included in the amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 which was passed by Parliament recently.

Touching on criminal groups in the country, Zahid gave his blessings to Tiga Line, which had been declared unlawful by the Home Ministry, to continue with their ‘benevolent’ gangsters activities.

“The Malaysian Bar deplores and condemns the statements made by the Home Minister because it reveals his complete disregard for the rule of law and his utter lack of respect for debate and argument.

“The minister’s scant regard for the views of fellow Parliamentarians demonstrates that any talk about considering the views and proposals of others including NGOs and civil society is a charade,” he added

Zahid was further criticised for failing to prove that the rise in crime was a result of releasing those detained under the Internal Security Act 1960 and the Emergency Ordinance 1969.

On Zahid’s threat to shutdown newspapers that published his speech, Leong said: “This attempt to silence the media is indicative that he appreciates the wrongness of his statements.

“It is outrageous for the Home Minister to threaten to use his official position in an attempt to cow the media and shield himself.”